







E LIBRARY 9F 

NGRESS 
IAL fttuORD 


AUG 1 8 1945 



An Information Pamphlet for 
Prospective Merchant Sailors 


WAR SHIPPING ADMINISTRATION 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 



















































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r HIS PAMPHLET has been prepared to 

acquaint merchant seamen , and men interested 
in entering the merchant service , with our Merchant 
Marine , zfo history and how it operates under war¬ 
time conditions. 

The pamphlet is also designed to answer some 
oj the many questions which have been asked about 
training, securing a job, working conditions , wages , 
bonuses , insurance , and other matters related to your 
job . 

It is hoped that this will serve not only to inform 
you as to those benefits and privileges accorded to 
you as merchant seamen, but also to emphasize the 
importance of the merchant service and your respon¬ 
sibilities , not only to your ship and your shipmates , 
but to your country as well. 

Edward Macauley, 

Deputy Administrator , 

War Shipping Administration , 
and 

Commissioner of 

United States Maritime Commission. 


3d Printing (Revised) 
Jane 1945 


3 




HOW TO GET YOUR 
BEARINGS 




An Information Pamphlet for Prospective 

Merchant Sailors 


I. Introduction: Page 

A. Purpose of pamphlet. 2 Cover 

B. The American Merchant Marine.i. 7 

1. Defined. 

2. History. 


3. Present status in World War II. 

4 Operation of the Merchant Marine. 

a. The functions of the War Shipping Administration and the 

Maritime Commission. 

b. Requisition and construction of vessels by the Government. 

c. Methods of securing crews to man merchant vessels. 


d. How to join Merchant Marine. 

II. Qualifications for Service as an Experienced Seaman. 9 

III. Seamen’s Papers . 10 

1. How to obtain seamen’s papers. 

2. Where to get previous records. 

3. Citizenship papers. 

4. What to do if papers are lost. 


5. Distinction between coastwise and foreign voyages. 

6. Requirements for radio operators. 

IV. The Training of Merchant Seamen. 12 

A. Training organization of the War Shipping Administration. 

1. The training schools. 

2. The U. S. Maritime Service. 

3. Opportunities for advancement through training. 

4. Upgrade school requirements. 

5. Officer Candidate Schools. 


V. The Manning of Merchant Vessels. 15 

A. The placing of graduates of U. S. Maritime Service Training Stations. 

1. The Graduate Station. 


2. The functions of the War Shipping Administration’s Recruitment 
and Manning Organization. 







4 











B. 

G. 

D. 


VI. Labor Relations in the Maritime Industry. 

A. War Shipping Administration relationship to maritime labor organi¬ 
zation. 

Background and present status of the maritime labor organizations. 
Steamship operators’ associations. 

The seaman’s contract of employment. 

1. Shipping articles. 

2. Collective bargaining agreements. 

VII. Wages, Bonuses, Insurance, and Taxes. 

A. Wages of unlicensed seamen. 

B. Seamen’s bonuses. 

1. Voyage bonus, area bonus, vessel attack bonus. 

C. Allotment of wages to dependents. 

D. Drawing wages in foreign ports. 

E. War risk insurance. 

1. Amount, coverage, loss of life and disability benefits, loss of 

personal effects. 

2. Additional insurance over and above amount furnished by War 

Shipping Administration, 
a. How secured. 

3. Filing notice of claim. 

a. Permanent disability benefits. 

b. Repatriation 

F. Taxes. 

1. State and Federal income, old age, etc. 

VIII. Miscellaneous Information. 

A. Transportrtion to port of sign-on. 

B. Selective Service status of merchant seamen. 

C. Reemployment rights. 

D. Income taxes. 

E. Medals and awards. 

F. Food ration and shoe stamps. 

G. Uniforms. 

H. Furlough gasoline. 

I. Relationship between merchant seamen and gun crews. 

J. Security. 

IX. Discipline on Merchant Ships. 

X. Services and Benefits Available to Merchant Seamen.. 

A. United Seamen’s Service. 

B. United States Public Health Service. 

G. Health examinations. — 

D. Mail service. 

XI. Postwar Opportunities . 

XII. Addresses . 

A. RMO. 

B. U. S. Maritime Service Enrolling Offices. 

C. U. S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Inspection Offices. 


Page 

16 


19 


24 


29 

30 


32 

33 



5 
















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6 











HOW TO GET YOUR 
BEARINGS 


Q. WHAT IS OUR MERCHANT MARINE? 

The United States Merchant Marine is a term used to designate our 
offshore, coastwise, and Great Lakes merchant vessels and the crews that 
man them. 

In peacetime our Merchant Marine carries on this Nation’s overseas 
commerce and trade, but in wartime it serves as an important auxiliary 
to the Army and Navy in transporting troops and materials to the war 
zones. 

Our Merchant Marine was established long before we had a Navy; the 
first merchant vessel was launched in this country 169 years before the 
Declaration of Independence. In the Revolutionary War American pri¬ 
vateers, converted from merchantmen, captured and destroyed three times 
as many of the enemy’s ships as did our frigates and sloops of war. These 
privateers were operated by private owners and manned by colonists who 
were woodsmen and fishermen as well as sailors. Some of these privateers 
captured as many as 28 enemy prizes in a single voyage. The same in¬ 
domitable will of our colonial seamen is present in our Merchant Marine 
today. Men who serve on our merchant ships in this war are adding to 
the glories and traditions of one of America’s oldest institutions. 

Q. WHO OPERATES THE AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINE 
DURING THE WAR? 

In 1936 Congress passed the Merchant Marine Act which defined our 
country’s basic Merchant Marine policy and established the Maritime 
Commission as the Government agency responsible for the long-range 
shipbuilding program and Merchant Marine planning. 

Shortly after Pearl Harbor, the President, by Executive order, created 
the War Shipping Administration as a temporary war agency responsible 
for acquiring control over and operating all American merchant vessels 
other than those assigned to the Army and Navy. 

The War Shipping Administration thereupon took over control of all 
offshore merchant vessels under various types of charters, while the Mari¬ 
time Commission concentrated its energies on the ship construction 
program. 

As the use of these vessels was taken from the private operators and 
assigned to the Government, the War Shipping Administration appointed 
the private steamship companies as Government agents to carry out the 
many intricate details involved in the technical phases of steamship opera¬ 
tion. 




7 


New vessels constructed by the Maritime Commission and owned by the 
Government are also turned over to these agents to operate. 

The War Shipping Administration decides what cargo goes where in 
which vessels. The steamship operators, as Government agents, carry on 
the tremendous task of supervising the loadings of cargo, fueling and 
victualling of our merchant fleet, as well as signing on and paying off the 
crew. The signing on and signing off is supervised by the United States 
Shipping Commissioners. 

Q. WHO ARE THE MEN RESPONSIBLE FOR OPERATION OF 
THE WAR SHIPPING ADMINISTRATION? 

The Administrator of the War Shipping Administration is Vice Ad¬ 
miral Emory S. Land, U. S. N. (Ret.), who is also Chairman of the Mari¬ 
time Commission. 

Serving as Deputy Administrators under Admiral Land are Vice Ad¬ 
miral Howard L. Vickery, U. S. N., a member of the Maritime Commis¬ 
sion, who is in charge of all vessel repairs for the War Shipping Adminis¬ 
tration; Capt. Granville Conway, who is in charge of ship operations, and 
Capt. Edward Macauley, U. S. N. (Ret.-) who is also a member of the 
Maritime Commission. 

Captain Macauley has general supervision over the following activities: 
Recruitment and training of seagoing personnel, manning or furnishing of 
crews to vessels under the jurisdiction of the War Shipping Administration, 
supervision of maritime labor relations between the War Shipping Ad¬ 
ministration’s operating agents and the maritime unions, supervision of 
the medical program under which all seamen are examined regularly to 
determine their fitness for sea duty, supervision of the Seamen’s Service 
Awards Committee which makes authorized awards of medals and service 
bars to American merchant seamen. 

Q. HOW ARE SEAMEN OBTAINED TO MAN SHIPS? 

At the outset of war, our merchant fleet consisted of approximately 
1,150 vessels, including passenger liners, freighters, colliers, tankers, etc. 
Approximately 62,500 seamen were required to keep these vessels manned. 
In 1942 alone, the Maritime Commission completed 750 new ships. In 
1943 the number increased to 2,000 new vessels. In 1944 a total of 1,786 
ships was built. 

The majority of seaman are members of one of the various maritime 
labor organizations having collective bargaining agreements with the 
steamship operators. To secure additional crews for new ships, the War 
Shipping Administration’s Recruitment and Manning Organization re¬ 
cruited thousands of experienced seamen from shore industries while the 
War Shipping Administration’s Training Organization trained other thou¬ 
sands of inexperienced men in the skills of seamanship and safety at sea 
techniques. 


8 


The Recruitment and Manning Organization maintains offices in all 
principle ports of the United States and abroad at which seamen may reg¬ 
ister and through which orders for seamen are accepted from unions and 
operators. These port officials also operate standby pools of seamen im¬ 
mediately available for emergency assignment to prevent ship delays. 

The Recruitment and Manning Organization port offices also assign men 
from the graduate stations which are the pools of apprentice seamen who 
have graduated from the training stations. The men from the Recruit¬ 
ment and Manning Organization pools are furnished to unions if the union 
is unable to man a ship with existing manpower in the hiring hall, or 
furnished to the operators direct if the operator has no union contract. 
Recruitment and Manning Organization is under direction of Assistant 
Deputy Administrator, H. Chase Stone. 

Experienced seamen seeking further information should consult Re¬ 
cruitment and Manning Organization Port Offices (addresses on p. 33), 
or write Recruitment and Manning Organization, War Shipping Admin¬ 
istration, Washington 25, D. C. 

Q. WHERE DO I JOIN THE MERCHANT MARINE? 

Men who have had previous sea experience (see p. 9 on qualifications) 
and have or can obtain seamen’s papers from the Merchant Marine 
Inspection Service of the U. S. Coast Guard are urged to apply at their 
nearest Recruitment and Manning Organization (address on p. 33), Mari¬ 
time Union, any United States Employment Office, or write to Merchant 
Marine, Washington 25, D. C. 

Men who have never been to sea before, or who had had extremely 
limited sea service, should apply to the United States Maritime Service 
(address on p. 34). 

Q. WHAT QUALIFICATIONS MUST AN EXPERIENCED SEAMAN 
HAVE IN ORDER TO OBTAIN SEAMEN’S PAPERS FOR SERV¬ 
ICE IN THE MERCHANT MARINE? 

If you are qualified by sea experience for one of the following ratings, 
but do not hold papers, you may obtain them at an office of the Merchant 
Marine Inspection Service of fhe U. S. Coast Guard (nearest address 
on p. 36), by presenting proof of citizenship and documentary evidence 
of seatime in the form of a Continuous Discharge Book, ship discharges, 
records of Shipping Commissioners in ports where you were paid off, or 
records of the companies which employed you, showing a minimum of 
the following service: 


Able seaman_ 9 months on deck, ocean or Great Lakes. 

Third mate_ 18 months on deck, ocean or Great Lakes. 

Second mate_ 6 months, ocean oi coastwise, as thud mate, original 

license as second mate, at the discretion of the local 
Inspection Service office. 


035017° 


45 


9 






Radio operator 


Second class radio telegraph license as issued by the 
Federal Communications Commission. 

Third assistant engineer_18 months in engine department, any waters. 

Second assistant engineer_6 months as third assistant, any waters; original license 

as second assistant at the discretion of the local In¬ 
spection Service office. 

First assistant engineer_6 months as second assistant, any waters, original 

license as first assistant at the discretion of the local 
Inspection Service office. 

Men whose sea experience has been in the Navy may qualify for sea¬ 
man’s papers which will enable them to serve in one of the above critical 
ratings, if their actual service at sea meets the above specifications. This 
proof of sea experience must be in the form of a Transcript of Service 
which may be obtained by writing to the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Inac¬ 
tive Records Branch, 253 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Seaman’s 
papers may be obtained at an office of the Coast Guard Merchant Marine 
Inspection Service by presenting a Transcript of Service and proof of 
citizenship. 

Men without sea experience should apply to the Training Organization, 
United States Maritime Service for training. 

» 

Q. WHAT PAPERS MUST THE SEAMAN HAVE IN ORDER TO 
SHIP OUT? 

Certain identifying and qualifying papers must be possessed by every 
man sailing on American merchant ships. Unlicensed seamen must pos¬ 
sess the following papers: 

1. Seaman s certificate of identification. —This identifies the seaman as 
an active American seaman and is issued by the Merchant Marine Inspec¬ 
tion Service of the U. S. Coast Guard (address on p. 36). 

2. Seaman’s certificate of service. —This paper indicates in what ratings 
the seaman is qualified to serve aboard ship. 

These certificates are all issued by the Merchant Marine Inspection 
Service of the U. S. Coast Guard. 

3. Coast Guard identification card. —This card is necessary for the sea¬ 
man to gain admittance to the dock where his ship is tied up. 

These cards are issued by the office of the Captain of the Port, U. S. 
Coast Guard (see address on p. 36). 

In addition, it is necessary to have: 

4. Seaman’s passport. —Issued by the State Department (or a receipt) by 
applying to the clerk of any Federal District Court showing a passport 
has been applied for within 6 months. Application may be made to the 
clerk of any Federal District Court. 

5. Radio operators must also have a license issued by the Federal Com¬ 
munications Commission in addition to the other seamen’s papers and a 
passport. 


10 




Prior to graduation of trainees arrangements are made to secure all of 
the necessary papers and credentials which he will need. They are for¬ 
warded to the graduate station and are available for the graduate when 
he is assigned to a vessel. 

Q. WHERE CAN I OBTAIN RECORDS OF MY PREVIOUS SEA 
EXPERIENCE IN THE MERCHANT MARINE? 

Seamen Records and Welfare Division, U. S. Coast Guard, Washington 
25, D. C., will have a record or will be able to advise you where you may 
obtain a record. Your former shipping company or master or officer 
under whom you have served may certify by sworn affidavit as to your 
sea service. 

Q. WHAT DO I DO IF I LOSE MY SEAMAN’S PAPERS AND 
SEAMAN’S PASSPORT? 

Apply directly to the Merchant Marine Inspection Service of the U. S. 
Coast Guard (nearest address on p. 36) and new papers will be issued 
promptly. Apply in the same manner to get endorsements on your sea¬ 
man’s papers. 

Q. HOW DO I OBTAIN CITIZENSHIP PAPERS OR ESTABLISH 
MY CITIZENSHIP? 

Consult your nearest office of Immigration and Naturalization Service or 
any Federal Court. Aliens who have served 5 years on a United States 
Government vessel or 5 years on any ship of more than 20 tons whose 
home port is in the United States and not of foreign registry may generally 
qualify for United States citizenship. 

Q. HOW CAN A MAN WITH RADIO EXPERIENCE GET INTO 
THE MERCHANT MARINE? 

You must be a citizen and have a first- or second-class radio telegraph¬ 
er’s license. These are obtained through the Federal Communications 
Commission which has offices in most large cities. Birth certificates must 
be presented with applications. Then register at your nearest War Ship¬ 
ping Administration Recruitment and Manning Organization Office where 
you will receive assistance in obtaining the seamen’s papers which you 
must hold before you can ship out. 

Q. IS IT JUST AS IMPORTANT AND DOES MY TIME COUNT 
ON COASTWISE SHIPPING AS IT DOES ON FOREIGN 
VOYAGES? 

No distinction is made by U. S. Coast Guard between coastwise and 
foreign voyage time at sea in applying for certificates. Coastwise shipping 
is just as important as foreign shipping and offers equal postwar 
opportunities. 


11 


Q. WHO OPERATES THE TRAINING SCHOOLS? 

The Training Organization of the War Shipping Administration is under 
the direction of Assistant Deputy Administrator Telfair Knight. It is 
responsible for operating the U. S. Maritime Service Training Schools 
which include apprentice seamen’s schools at St. Petersburg, Fla.; Avalon, 
Calif.; Hoffman Island, N. Y.; and Sheepshead Bay, N. Y. The Maritime 
Service also operates a school for radio operators at Gallups Island, Boston, 
Mass. In addition there are specialist schools, cooks’ and bakers’ schools, 
upgrading schools, and licensed officers’ schools at Fort Trumbull, New 
London, Conn., and at Alameda, Calif. 

WHAT IS THE MERCHANT MARINE CADET CORPS? 

The Training Organization also operates the U. S. Merchant Marine 
Academy at Kings Point, Long Island, N. Y., and Cadet Basic Schools at 
Pass Christian, Miss., and at San Mateo, Calif., at which members of the 
U. S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps are trained to become licensed 
Merchant Marine officers. 

Entrance directly into the Merchant Marine Cadet Corps is governed 
by regulations of the Cadet Corps. In addition, a limited number of 
qualified applicants from the apprentice seamen training schools are 
accepted in the U. S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps. 

For further information consult the Cadet Selection Board at your 
school, or the Supervisor, U. S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps Training 
Organization, War Shipping Administration, National Theater Building, 
Washington 25, D. C. 

In addition to the Federal training program there are five State mari¬ 
time academies maintained by the States of Maine, Pennsylvania, Massa¬ 
chusetts, New York, and California, presently receiving Federal assistance 
and under the general supervision of the War Shipping Administration 
Training Organization. 

Q. WHAT IS THE UNITED STATES MARITIME SERVICE? 

The U. S. Maritime Service was created under the Merchant Marine 
Act of 1936, as amended, to give training and other benefits to merchant 
officers and seamen. It is civilian and voluntary and has no relationship 
to the Army and Navy; it is purely a Merchant Marine organization. 

It operates apprentice seamen schools which train inexperienced men for 
the unlicensed positions aboard ship, and it operates many specialist courses, 
upgrading classes and schools for experienced seamen who are desirous of 
becoming licensed officers. 

Apprentice seamen trainees while attending a training school are on 
active duty in the Maritime Service as are those administrative officers 
and other personnel at the training schools who wear the Maritime Service 
uniform and insignia. 


12 


Licensed officers and qualified staff officers in the Merchant Marine may 
apply for appointment in the Maritime Service. The appointment 
awarded to a merchant officer depends upon the license he holds and the 
berth he occupies aboard ship as well as upon his length of service. 

In peacetime an officer appointed in the Maritime Service is eligible for 
1 month’s pay in the rank at which he is appointed, providing he sails 8 
months each year on his license and spends 1 month in training at a U. S. 
Maritime Service Training Station. 

Graduates of the apprentice seamen’s training course are eligible for 
regular enrollment in the Maritime Service upon satisfactory completion 
of the apprentice seamen’s training course. The enrollee is expected there¬ 
after to serve annually at least 8 months on sea-going or Great Lakes 
merchant vessels of the United States, and in peacetime, 1 month on 
annual active duty training with the Maritime Service. In peacetime, 
under these conditions he is eligible to receive a month’s retainer pay each 
year from the Maritime Service. 

Q. HOW ARE APPOINTMENTS OBTAINED IN UNITED STATES 
MARITIME SERVICE? 

Call at the nearest Maritime Service Enrolling Office (see addresses on 
p. 34), bringing with you the following documentary evidence qualifying 
you for an appointment: Your license; valid certificates of discharge or 
continuous discharge book or a letter from a recognized official of the com¬ 
pany or companies for which you have been working in the past year (or 
all licensed service if less than 1 year) substantiating your sea service, stat¬ 
ing the capacities you served in and the names of the ships; State Depart¬ 
ment seaman’s passport, or birth certificate, if certificate or license doesn’t 
show birth date. Members of the Staff Department (purser and medical) 
should present certificates of registry as staff officer; steward officers cer¬ 
tificates of service or endorsement as chief steward. Radio officers licenses 
issued by Federal Communications Commission. After presentation of 
your credentials you will be given a physical examination and your papers 
will be forwarded to Maritime Service Headquarters. 

Q. WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE FOR ADVANCEMENT IN 
THE MERCHANT MARINE? 

There is every opportunity for anyone with initiative and ambition to 
raise his rating and his pay in the Merchant Marine. Graduates of the 
U. S. Maritime Service Deck Training Program may, after 3 months’ 
experience on vessels over 100 gross tons as ordinary seamen, sit for 
examination for able bodied seamen’s papers. Nongraduate ordinary 
seamen must serve 6 months before qualifying for advancement. 

In order that all seamen may serve at their maximum skills, it is impor¬ 
tant they be upgraded as rapidly as possible after acquiring the necessary 
sea experience to qualify for higher ratings. 


13 


The War Shipping Administration has courses of instruction to help 
seamen prepare for these examinations. While attending these upgrade 
courses seamen are provided with maintenance and a base wage. 

Schools for unlicensed upgrading are located at: 

Los Angeles, Calif.: Frank Wiggins Trade School (messman upgraded 
to second cooks). 

Wilmington, Calif.: 

Catalina Terminal Pier (ordinary seaman upgraded to A. B.). 

New York, N. Y.: 

Pier 73 East River (ordinary seamen upgraded to A. B.). 

347 West Seventeenth Street (ordinary seamen upgraded to A. B.; 

wipers upgraded to firemen-watertenders). 

208 West Thirteenth Street (messman upgraded to second cooks— 
second cooks upgraded to first cooks). 

Baltimore, Md. : 125 South Street (ordinary seaman upgraded to AB; 

wiper upgraded to fireman-watertender). 

New Orleans, La. : 523 St. Ann Street (all ratings). 

Portland, Oreg.: George White Service Center (messman upgraded to 
second cooks). 

San Francisco, Calif.: 1000 Geary Street (all ratings). 

Seattle, Wash.: Thomas Edison Vocation School (messman upgraded 
to second cooks), 1427 Maine Street (all ratings). 

Schools at which licensed officers may study to upgrade their licenses 
are also located in each of the above cities. 

Q. WHAT REQUIREMENTS MUST A SEAMAN HAVE TO ENTER 
AN UPGRADE SCHOOL? 

Applicants for enrolling in the unlicensed upgrading school will be 
accepted provided they meet the following requirements: 

Proof of United States citizenship; not less than 18 years of age, possess 
seamen’s papers including a certificate of identification and a certificate 
of service, possess a Coast Guard pass, possess sufficient deck discharges 
signed by the mater covering minimum sea-time requirements for the 
particular course of training desired. 

For complete information write for the booklet “The Story of Upgrad¬ 
ing” Address: Commandant, U. S. Maritime Service, War Shipping Ad¬ 
ministration, Training Organization, Washington 25, D. C., or apply at 
your local Maritime Service Enrolling Office or Recruitment and Manning- 
Organization Office (address on p. 33). 

Q. HOW CAN I BECOME AN OFFICER IN THE MERCHANT 
MARINE? 

As a special war emergency measure any seaman serving 18 months at 


14 


sea in the deck or engine room departments may apply for an examina¬ 
tion by the Coast Guard Merchant Marine Inspection Service for a license 
as a third mate or third-assistant engineer. War Shipping Administra¬ 
tion Training Organization maintains two schools for officer candidates, 
one at Alameda, Calif., and the other at Fort Trumbull, New London, 
Conn. The course of instruction lasts approximately 4 months and those 
who attend one of these schools are paid a basic salary in addition to be- 
ing furnished with a uniform, quarters, and subsistence. The 4 months 
spent at one of the Officer Candidate Schools is counted towards the 18 
months sea time required for a license, thus actually reducing the sea 
time required to 14 months for those men attending. Apply at the nearest 
Coast Guard Merchant Marine Inspection Office, Maritime Service En¬ 
rolling Office, or Recruitment and Manning Organization Office. 

Q. WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE IN THE ARMY TRANS¬ 
PORTATION CORPS FOR GADUATES OF APPRENTICE 
SEAMEN’S SCHOOLS? 

The Army Service Forces maintains a “Navy” of its own in the sense 
that it operates numerous transports and supply ships. The seamen and 
officers who man Army transport vessels are drawn chiefly from the 
Merchant Marine. 

Wages on Army transport vessels approximate wages paid on most 
American flag merchant vessels. 

The U. S. Maritime Service, in conjunction with the Transportation 
Corps, Army Service Forces, formerly conducted a training program for 
Merchant Marine officers for Army transport vessels. However, the 
requirements of the Army have been met and this training is no longer 
offered. 

Q. HOW DOES A GRADUATE OF A GOVERNMENT MARITIME 
TRAINING SCHOOL SECURE HIS FIRST JOB? 

The first assignment to a vessel will come through the Recruitment and 
Manning Organization of the War Shipping Administration either through 
a union qr direct to an operator as calls are received for men. 

Trainee graduates from apprentice seamen’s schools are sent to a U. S. 
Maritime Service Graduate Station where they reside pending assignment 
to a vessel. While living at the graduate station and awaiting assignment, 
the trainee graduate is furnished with subsistence pay until he is dispatched 
to his first maritime job. 

The chances are that he will not receive a furlough or vacation between 
the time he graduates and the time that he is required to report at a 
graduate station. This depends, of course, on shipping conditions. 

The graduate station to which the trainee will be dispatched will like- 


15 


wise be determined by shipping conditions and manning requirements at 
the various ports. 

Licensed Officer School and Cadet Corps or State academy graduates 
do not enter a graduate station as do apprentice seamen, but register with 
a Recruitment and Manning Organization port office and are placed on 
stand-by pay roll under the Recruitment and Manning Daily Wage Pro¬ 
gram while awaiting assignment. Procedures are in effect whereby a 
Licensed Officer School graduate may be reassigned to the operator by 
whom he was released in order to enter Licensed Officer School and a 
Cadet Corps graduate may be assigned to the operator with whom he 
served his sea time. An exception to these procedures must always be 
made, however, if an emergency demand arises for the services of an 
officer to prevent a ship delay. 

Q. MUST A GRADUATE TAKE THIS FIRST JOB THROUGH THE 
WAR SHIPPING ADMINISTRATION RECRUITMENT AND 
MANNING OFFICE? 

Yes. The first assignment of a graduate of an apprentice seamen’s 
school, Licensed Officers School, or the Cadet Corps must be taken through 
the Recruitment and Manning Organization. The Government must 
make certain that his training is used to the best advantage in the war 
effort. An orderly use of trained manpower would not be possible if each 
graduate of an apprentice seamen’s school were permitted to “hustle” his 
own job. By taking his first job through the Recruitment and Manning 
Organization, the graduate may be certain that he will be sent to the port 
at which he is most needed. 

After the completion of his first voyage, the trained graduate is on his 
own and can ship out through a maritime union, a shipping company, or 
the Recruitment and Manning Organization. 

Q. WHAT RELATIONSHIP EXISTS BETWEEN THE WAR SHIPPING 
ADMINISTRATION AND THE MARITIME LABOR ORGANI¬ 
ZATIONS? 

The War Shipping Administration’s Maritime Labor Relations Organ¬ 
ization is under the direction of Assistant Deputy Administrator Huber 
Wyckoff. 

It cooperates with both unions and operators in the maintenance of 
collective bargaining and the adjustment of grievances in the manner 
provided in these agreements. 

The Maritime Labor Relations Organization also makes studies of wage 
scales and working conditions of both American and foreign seamen, as¬ 
sists the Maritime War Emergency Board with respect to War Risk Insur¬ 
ance and Bonus matters, and studies ways and means of improving crews’ 
quarters and general living and working conditions aboard ship. The 
Maritime Labor Relations Organization which works closely with the Coast 


16 


Guard on discipline matters has established field offices at the following 
addresses: 

45 Broadway, New York 6, New York. 

Mills Tower, San Francisco 4, California. 

Q. WHAT FUNCTIONS DO THE LABOR ORGANIZATIONS PLAY 
IN THE MARITIME INDUSTRY? 

In the maritime industry, as in the other industries, workingmen have 
formed organizations for the improvement and protection of their mutual 
interests. Their rights to organize and bargain collectively are protected 
by law. 

Today most experienced seafaring men are members of the various sea¬ 
men’s unions which have collective bargaining agreements with the steam¬ 
ship operators. These agreements cover methods of hiring, wages, and 
working conditions, and provide machinery for the adjustment of 
grievances. 

The War Shipping Administration, shortly after the outbreak of the war, 
confirmed the existing collective bargaining agreements between the mari¬ 
time unions and private steamship operators, and agreed that as private 
steamship companies were appointed Government agents to operate the 
Merchant Fleet, the existing methods of employment would be recognized. 
The maritime unions in turn, agreed not to strike during the war and 
pledged cooperation to secure better discipline aboard ship. 

Q. ARE THE STEAMSHIP OPERATORS LIKEWISE ORGANIZED 
. INTO ASSOCIATIONS? 

Yes. The individual steamship operators, like the individual sailors, 
have jointed together in organizations and associations for the advance¬ 
ment and protection of the interests of the shipping industry. 

These operators’ associations, in addition to fostering new trade routes, 
developing ways of meeting foreign competition and representing their 
members in collective bargaining witl^ maritime unions, also help to solve 
various personnel problems and crew members’ disputes through labor 
management grievance committees in the various ports. 

f _ 

Q. WHAT WILL DETERMINE WHETHER A TRAINEE GRADUATE 
IS ASSIGNED TO A UNION OR TO A NONUNION SHIP? 

When a steamship operator, who has union agreements on his ships, 
needs one or more men to complete the crew list, he calls the union whose 
contract covers the needed ratings. If the union does not have the re¬ 
quired men on hand in these ratings, it may call the Recruitment and 
Manning Organization who will dispatch the men ordered via the union 
hall. 


655017°—45 


3 


17 



If, on the other hand, the vessel is not under contract with a labor 
organization and the operator has not sufficient men to man the vessel, 
he may call the Recruitment and Manning Organization directly, in which 
case the man assigned is dispatched directly from one of the pools to the 
vessel. 

A man is assigned from the Recruitment and Manning Organization 
shipping list or from the graduate station according to the qualifications 
required for the particular order and the available supply of men on hand. 

The Recruitment and Manning Organization of the War Shipping 
Administration refers seamen to maritime unions, vessel operators and 
foreign flag vessels according to the requests that it receives for men in the 
various ports. 

Q. DOES A TRAINEE GRADUATE HAVE TO JOIN A MARITIME 
UNION? 

Whether he does or does not join a union, and which union he joins, 
if any, are matters that each man must determine for himself. 

If he sails on union ships, expects to work under union contracts, and 
wishes to use the facilities of union hiring halls, he will be obliged to 
become a union member. 

Most unions have a probationary period during which a prospective 
member sails under a permit or trip card. Initiation fees vary in the 
different maritime unions. 

Q. WHAT TYPE OF CONTRACTUAL EMPLOYMENT DOES A 
SEAMAN ENTER? 

Since earliest times, seamen have entered into a written contract of em¬ 
ployment with the master, which is commonly known as “the ship’s 
articles”; the entering into the contract is referred to as “signing on” or 
“signing articles.” 

A seaman “signs on” a merchant vessel for the duration of the voyage 
or for a term, generally not exceeding 12 months. The law requires that 
shipping articles be signed for all voyages other than voyages between ports 
in adjoining States. For all foreign (except voyages to the British North 
American possessions, the West Indies and Mexico) and intercoastal 
voyages, articles must be signed before a U. S. Shipping Commissioner; for 
other voyages the participation of the Shipping Commissioner is optional 
with the master. Upon the termination of a voyage, seamen are dis¬ 
charged from their contract of employment and paid their wages. This is 
commonly referred to as “signing off.” If the “sign on” was made in the 
presence of a Shipping Commissioner, the “sign off” must also be made 
in his presence. 

By signing on articles a seaman voluntarily gives up, to a certain extent, 


18 


1 


his personal liberty in return for wages, subsistence, and other guarantees. 
He contracts to render “faithful obedience to the commands of the master, 
and to be honest, sober, and diligent in carrying out his duties aboard 
ship.” 

A ship’s articles differs from a collective bargaining agreement, in that 
ship’s articles are a contract between the master and each individual crew 
member, whereas the collective bargaining agreement is, as the name 
implies, a collective agreement between a labor organization representing 
the seamen, and the steamship operator or the steamship operator’s asso¬ 
ciation on behalf of one or more members of the association. The collec¬ 
tive bargaining agreements set forth in detail living and working con¬ 
ditions which, generally speaking, are not covered in the ship’s articles. 

Although the seaman’s employment ends with the termination of the 
voyage and the discharge of the crew, a seaman usually can remain on 
the same vessel, if the master does not object; the chances are that he can 
continue to sign on subsequent articles indefinitely. 

When a seaman signs off or leaves the vessel at the termination of the 
voyage he is given a certificate of discharge showing that he has served 
on the vessel, the length of the trip, and place of discharge. Some seamen 
prefer to carry what is known as a “continuous discharge book,” which 
gives a continuous record of service. 


Q. WHAT ABOUT SEAMEN’S WAGES? 


Wages in the Merchant Marine vary slightly depending on the trade, the 
cargo, the collective bargaining agreement and the ship. On most off¬ 
shore freighters under the supervision of the War Shipping Administra¬ 
tion, wages as provided in the collective bargaining agreements and other¬ 
wise are approximately as follows for the unlicensed personnel: 


Junior assistant purser-pharmacist mate. 

Junior assistant purser- 

Clerk-typist_ 

Deck: 


Ordinary seaman_ 82. 50 



Engine: 

$175. 00 

Junior engineer 

165. 00 

Machinist 

155. 00 

Oiler 

112. 50 

Watertender 

112. 50 

Fireman 

100. 00 


82. 50 



$175. 00 
150. 00 
137. 50 


$137.50 
137. 50 
110. 00 
110. 00 
100. 00 


Steward’s department: 

Chief steward- 

Chief cook- 

Second cook-baker 
Messman- 


$147. 50—$ 157. 50 

137.50- 145.00 

117.50- 130.00 

87. 50 


Licensed deck officer’s pay varies from $202 for a third mate to approx¬ 
imately $415 for the master of a liberty ship. In the engine department 


19 





















f 


a licensed officer’s pay varies from $202 for a third assistant engineer to 
$384 for a chief engineer on a Liberty ship. 

In addition to these rates, the men receive their voyage, area and vessel 
attack bonuses, which often substantially increase their wages. 

On the Great Lakes, wages are slightly higher but war bonuses are not 
paid. The wages on most War Shipping Administration controlled Pana¬ 
manian and Honduran flag vessels are slightly lower than the average wages 
paid on American flag vessels. Wages on most tankers are slightly higher 
than on dry-cargo vessels. 

Q. WHAT ARE THE WAR BONUSES WHICH ARE PAID TO 
SEAMEN? 

War bonuses are a type of extra compensation paid seamen for the 
unusual risks to which they are exposed. These bonuses are subject to 
change by decision of the Maritime War Emergency Board according to 
the decrease or increase of war risk in various areas. Decision 2G of the 
Maritime War Emergency Board became effective on July 15, 1945. 

Under this new decision a voyage bonus of 100 percent of monthly 
wages, but not less than $100 per month, is paid for voyages in the West 
Pacific Area south of 60° north latitude, west of the 180th meridian, north 
of 13° south latitude and east of 80° east longitude. 

A voyage bonus of 33/3 percent of monthly wages, but not less than 
$40 per month, is paid for voyages in the Pacific Ocean east of 136° west 
longitude, in the North Atlantic Ocean and adjoining waters west of 12° 
west longitude, and in the South Atlantic Ocean west of 18° east longitude. 

A voyage bonus of 66% percent of monthly wages, but not less than 
$80 per month, is paid for all voyages or portions of voyages within waters 
not classified in the 100 or 33% percent voyage bonus areas. No voyage 
bonus is payable while in inland waters of the Western Hemisphere, which 
is defined to include North America (except Alaska west of 136° west 
longitude and the Aleutian Islands), Central America, South America, the 
Hawaiian Islands, and all islands within the 33% percent bonus area. 

In addition to the voyage bonuses, a seaman is paid an additional bonus 
known as the “Area Bonus” of $5 per day as long as the vessel is in the 
100 percent voyage bonus area. 

In addition to the voyage and area bonuses, a vessel attack bonus of $125 
is payable to each crew member of a vessel (1) which is destroyed or sub¬ 
stantially damaged as a result of enemy attack, or (2) on which any per¬ 
son is killed or seriously injured as a result of enemy attack, or (3) which 
is otherwise subjected to extreme and immediate danger of destruction 
as a result of enemy attack or other direct war hazard. This bonus is 
payable on all waters of the globe but only one vessel attack bonus is 
payable in the course of any passage of the vessel between ports or 
anchorages. 


20 


Q. CAN SEAMEN PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT OF PART OF 
THEIR WAGES TO THEIR FAMILIES OR DEPENDENTS? 

Yes. Under the Federal allotment statute a seaman can provide for 
the payment of a part of his wages to certain close relatives including his 
wife, parents, sister, grandparents, children, or grandchildren. A seaman 
may allot 90 percent of his base wages plus low voyage bonus, less the 
amount of the withholding tax. 

If a seaman wishes he may, in lieu of making a wage allotment, make 
provision for deposit of his wages for his own account in a savings bank 
or United States Postal Savings depository. 

Allotments are made at the time the articles are signed, and must be 
made at each subsequent signing of articles even though the seaman 
remains aboard the same vessel. 

The making of an allotment is purely voluntary on the part of the 
seaman; however, it is most important that all seamen having families 
make allotments. In the event of an unseen emergency at home, it would 
be most difficult for a seaman’s family to secure any part of his earnings 
if he fails to make an allotment prior to shipping out. 

The amount allotted is paid by the vessel operator, who sends it to the 
allottee at monthly or semimonthly intervals, usually in the form of a 
check. This money is paid by the operator from the seaman’s wages due 
him. 


Q. CAN SEAMEN DRAW WAGES IN A FOREIGN PORT? 

Yes, every seaman on a United States vessel is entitled to receive one-half 
of the balance of his wages earned and remaining unpaid in any port where 
the vessel loads or delivers cargo. 

Q. WHAT INSURANCE PROTECTION DO SEAMEN GET? 

The War Shipping Administration automatically and without cost pro¬ 
vides $5,000 war risk insurance to every man sailing on an American flag 
vessel and Panamanian and Honduran vessels under its control. This 
insurance, which is; known as the Second Seaman’s War Risk Insurance 
Policy, covers loss of life, disability, repatriation, and detention benefits 
and loss of personal effects. 

At the time articles are signed, a form is furnished on which a seaman 
designates the beneficiary who will receive the $5,000 life insurance in the 
event of loss of life. Only certain close relatives may be named and the 
person or persons so designated as beneficiary will remain such until 
changed. 

The policy takes effect on the commencement of the voyage and con¬ 
tinues until the seaman returns to the United States, unless by desertion 
or by separation from his ship by reason of his own willful misconduct, he 
should disqualify himself. 


21 


In the event of injury arising out of “war risk” as defined by the policy, 
the seaman, upon his return to the United States, is paid $100 per month 
while hospitalized and $150 per month while on out-patient status up to 
$5,000 as long as he is disabled from working as a seaman. 

In cases of total permanent disability, payments can, under certain 
conditions, be extended up to $7,500. Furthermore, there are certain cash 
payments within the principal sum made for dismemberment and other 
specified injuries. 

The policy further provides for the payment of benefits equal to wages 
and continuation of wage allotments from the time the vessel is lost until 
the seaman returns to the United States. In the event of capture by the 
enemy, benefits continue during the period of internment. 

The policy also provides for the payment of $500 to licensed officers 
and $300 to unlicensed seamen in addition to any other sums payable, for 
the loss of personal effects due to any cause specified in the policy. 

While in training at a U. S. Maritime Service School, trainees are 
covered by the provisions of the U. S. Employees Compensation Act, as 
well as a group life-insurance policy. Group life insurance amounts to a 
$1,000 benefit the premium for which is paid from the station welfare 
fund. 

Q. CAN A SEAMAN TAKE OUT ADDITIONAL WAR RISK IN¬ 
SURANCE OVER AND ABOVE THE $5,000? 

Yes. Beside the free war-risk insurance provided by the Government 
the seaman can purchase from $1,000 to $15,000 worth of additional war- 
risk life insurance from the War Shipping Administration. This addi¬ 
tional insurance can be purchased at the rate of 50 cents per month per 
$1,000 worth of insurance, and a policy may be taken out covering 1 month 
to 12 months. Seamen are urged to apply for periods of longer than 1 
month. The premium must be paid in advance before this additional 
insurance becomes effective. Any person or persons may be named as 
beneficiary under the policy of additional insurance. 

Application for this insurance should be made through the steamship 
company agent on a form which will be made available at the time articles 
are signed. 

If there is any possibility of the seaman being at sea at the time the 
policy covering this additional insurance expires (at the end of 1 month or 
at the end of 12 months) arrangements should be made with the operator 
of the vessel to have it renewed. The operator is in a position to render 
ffiis service inasmuch as he is, in all probability, an agent of the War 
Shipping Administration. 

For further information about seamen’s insurance, write to the Division 
of Wartime Insurance, War Shipping Administration, 99 John Street, New 
York 7, N. Y. 


22 


Q. IF I AM INJURED WHILE WORKING ABOARD A SHIP IN 
THE MERCHANT MARINE DO I STILL RECEIVE MY PAY? 

Seamen incapacitated while in the service of the vessel, not by willful 
misconduct, are entitled under general maritime law to wages to the end 
of the voyage, maintenance, and medical treatment for the illness or injury. 

Q. MUST NOTICE OF A CLAIM FOR DISABILITY BE SERVED 
ON ANYONE? 

Yes. The claim must be made within 90 days after a torpedoing or 
bombing or after return to the United States. Claims should be made di¬ 
rectly to the War Shipping Administration, Division of Wartime Insurance, 
99 John Street, New York 7, N. Y., or claims may be sent to the Division 
of Wartime Insurance through the operator of the vessel or through a 
seaman’s union. 

Claims for loss of personal effects are made directly to the agent or the 
operator of the vessel on which you are employed. 

Q. IF I AM PERMANENTLY DISABLED WHILE WORKING IN 
THE MERCHANT MARINE DO I RECEIVE ANY BENEFITS? 

Any seaman permanently disabled as a result of a peril covered by the 
disability provisions of the Second Seamen’s War Risk Policy (which all 
seamen automatically receive while actively employed aboard American 
merchant vessels) may receive payments after exhaustion of other com¬ 
pensation which the seaman has received from insurance or from other 
sources (Public Law 449—78th Cong.). The monthly payments equal 
two-thirds of a claimant’s monthly pay, but not more than $116.66 nor less 
than $58.33 if the disability is total. Claims must be presented to Chief 
Adjuster, Division of Wartime Insurance, 99 John Street, New York 7, 
N. Y. Claimants must give home address, date of birth, certificate of 
identification number, all facts leading up to and surrounding the casualty 
copies of hospital or clinical abstracts as may be in his possession, and full 
advice concerning employment, if any, since the disability arose. 

Q. IN EVENT I LOSE MY SHIP FOR ANY CAUSE, BECOME SICK 
OR INJURED OVERSEAS, OR FOR ANY OTHER REASON 
HAVE TO LEAVE MY VESSEL, HOW DO I GET TO THE 
UNITED STATES? 

The Recruitment and Manning Organization of the War Shipping Ad¬ 
ministration maintains representatives in all the principal ports of the 
world now open to Allied shipping, and new offices are being established 
in liberated areas of Europe and the Southwest Pacific as quickly as 
military operations permit. 

The Recruitment and Manning Organization overseas representatives 
make all arrangements for medical care and hospitalization, for repatria¬ 
tion or for whatever else the seamen may need. 


23 


Q. ARE SEAMEN ENTITLED TO TRANSPORTATION BACK TO 
THE PORT WHERE THE ARTICLES WERE SIGNED? 

Generally speaking, return transportation is furnished from one coast 
to another but not from port to port on the same coast. For example, if 
you ship out of San Francisco, and after a trans-Pacific or trans-Atlantic 
voyage or 6 months’ trip the crew is discharged in New Orleans, you would 
be entitled to wages and return transportation to San Francisco. 

However, if you should ship out of New York and your vessel should 
return to Boston, you would not be furnished with return transportation 
or wages, inasmuch as Boston is on the same coast as New York. 

These matters are often covered in the collective bargaining agreements 
between maritime labor organizations and steamship operators and may 
vary from one agreement to another. 

Seamen survivors who are repatriated to the United States are also 
furnished with wages, subsistence, and transportation to the port of orig¬ 
inal shipment, pursuant to a recent operations regulation of the War 
Shipping Administration. 

Q. ARE SEAMEN SUBJECT TO THE SELECTIVE SERVICE ACT? 

Yes. Seamen are subject to all provisions of the Selective Service Act. 
However, as long as they remain active in the Merchant Marine, the Selec¬ 
tive Service System has agreed to defer them. The Merchant Marine 
Deferment Section has been established within the War Shipping Admin¬ 
istration to file the necessary deferment requests. 

Every time a seaman joins a ship the master fills out a card which he 
mails to Washington. Every time he separates from a ship the master 
fills out another card which he also sends to Washington. The “signing 
on” card provides the Merchant Marine Deferment Section with the in¬ 
formation necessary for assuring the seaman’s draft deferment as an active 
merchant seaman. The “separation” card indicates the maximum shore 
leave which the seaman may have without forfeiting his status as an active 
merchant seaman. 

The Selective Service has agreed that an active merchant seaman, after 
completing a voyage, may take 2 days off for each week at sea, not exceed¬ 
ing 30 days before again signing on articles. If shore leave is exceeded 
without appropriate authorization the request for deferment is withdrawn 
and the seaman becomes subject to induction. 

Q. DO SEAMAN HAVE TO REMAIN IN THE MERCHANT MA¬ 
RINE FOR ANY SPECIFIC LENGTH OF TIME? 

Every seaman in the Merchant Marine is the war’s most important 
civilian volunteer and is so regarded by Selective Service. He is expected 
to stay in for the duration. Unless a seaman ships regularly he is subject 


24 


CO immediate reclassification by Selective Service. Men in the Merchant 
Marine unless disabled for further service, are expected to remain for the 
duration of the War. Every seaman should keep in mind that reemploy¬ 
ment rights as well as any other postwar benefits will be dependent upon 
continuous service during wartime in the Merchant Marine. 

Q. ARE MERCHANT SEAMEN ENTITLED TO ALL THE BENEFITS 
OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES? 

No. A merchant seaman is engaged in a civilian capacity on a volun¬ 
teer contractual basis. 

Insurance, medical attention, and certain provisions for dependents are 
provided for merchant seamen on the basis of the special problems which 
concern the Merchant Marine only. 

The Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act, which provides stautory relief 
against certain types of indebtedness and against court proceedings, is 
available only to members serving in the armed forces and not to merchant 
seamen. 

Public Law 87—Seventy-eighth Congress guarantees to seamen reem¬ 
ployment rights into permanent jobs which they left to enter the Merchant 
Marine in the same manner as such rights are provided for members of 
the Armed Forces. 

Particular benefits available to seamen, such as insurance and bonuses, 
have been previously discussed in this pamphlet. 

Q. WHAT REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS DO MERCHANT SEAMEN 
HAVE? 

Public Law 87 .—This provides that a merchant seaman who left a per¬ 
manent job to serve in the Merchant Marine and who has completed a 
period of substantially continuous sea service, as evidenced by a certificate 
to that effect issued by the War Shipping Administrator, shall be restored 
to his former position if he is still qualified to perform the job, and if he 
applies to the employer for return to such a job within 40 days of the 
date of the certificate issued to him by the War Shipping Administrator. 
Further information may be obtained from the Administrator, War Ship¬ 
ping Administration, Washington, D. C., or from any Recruitment and 
Manning port office, or, by men in training, from any officer of the War 
Shipping Administration Training Organization, enrolling office of the 
U. S. Maritime Service, district office of the U. S. Merchant Marine Cadet 
Corps, or from any U. S. Employment Service office. 

Q. WHAT TAXES MUST MERCHANT SEAMEN PAY? 

Merchant seamen, like other civilians, are subject to taxation including 
State and Federal income taxes, based on wages plus war bonuses. 


25 


Federal income taxes are collected in part by withholding a portion of 
each pay check. The amount withheld varies according to personal ex¬ 
emptions but in no case will it exceed 20 percent of a seaman s salary. 

The mere fact that a seaman who has a residence in the United States 
may be out of the country for a substantial portion of the year does not 
exempt him from the payment of income taxes on wages earned during 
that period. 

Seamen are also subject to a 1 percent deduction from wages on $3,000 
taxable wages received during the calendar year. T. his tax is for old-age 
and survivorship insurance which is based on wages plus value of room 
and board furnished on a vessel. Employers, likewise, are subject to a 1 
percent tax. 

The War Shipping Administration in Washington has a competent tax 
consultant who will answer questions on tax matters pertaining to merchant 

seamen. 

Q. WHAT MEDALS AND AWARDS ARE MERCHANT SEAMEN 
ENTITLED TO WEAR? 

For the purpose of War Shipping Administration awards, “seaman” 
includes any member of a ship’s company who serves at any time during 
the period beginning December 7, 1941, and ending with the termination 
of the present war, (a) on any United States flagship or ( b ) on any for¬ 
eign flagship at a time when operated for the account of the War Ship¬ 
ping Administration. Such seamen are entitled to wear the Merchant 
Marine service emblem. 

Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal. —Awarded to any sea¬ 
man in the American Merchant Marine who, on or after September 3, 
1939, has distinguished himself, or during the war distinguishes himself by 
outstanding conduct or service in the line of duty. 

Merchant Marine Meritorious Service Medal. —Awarded to any seaman 
who during the present war has been or shall be officially commended by 
the Administrator for conduct or service of a meritorious character but 
not of such outstanding character as would warrant awarding the Merchant 
Marine Distinguished Service Medal. 

Gallant Ship Unit Citation. —Awarded to any ship which during the 
present war has served or shall serve in outstanding action against attack 
or gallant action in marine disasters or other emergencies at sea. Members 
of the crews of such ships are entitled to wear the Gallant Ship Unit Cita¬ 
tion bar. 

Mariner’s Medal. —Awarded to any seaman who while serving on a ship 
during the war period is wounded, suffers physical injury, or suffers through 
dangerous exposure as a result of an act of an enemy of the United States. 

Combat Bar. —Issued to seamen who serve on a ship at the time it is 


26 


directly attacked or damaged by an instrumentality of war. A star is 
attached to such a bar when seamen are forced to abandon their ship when 
so attacked or damaged. For each additional abandonment, after attack 
or damage, an additional star is attached. 

Atlantic War Zone Bar. —For service in the Atlantic Zone including the 
North Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean 
Sea, Barents Sea, and Greenland Sea. 

Mediterranean-Middle East War Zone Bar. —For service in the Medi¬ 
terranean-Middle East Zone, including the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, 
Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean west of 80° east longitude. 

Pacific War Zone Bar. —For service in the Pacific Zone, including the 
North Pacific Ocean, South Pacific Ocean, and Indian Ocean east of 80° 
cast longitude. 

Merchant Marine Defense Bar. —Awarded to seamen who have served 
at sea in the U. S. Merchant Marine at any time during the period begin¬ 
ning September 8, 1939, and ending December 6, 1941. 

Philippine Defense Ribbon: Awarded to seamen who served on vessels 
in Philippine waters for 30 days or on vessels under attack in Philippine 
waters during the period from December 8, 1941 to June 15, 1942. 

Philippine Liberation Ribbon: Awarded to seamen who served on vessels 
in Philippine waters during the Leyte operations from October 17 to 
October 20, 1944 or served on vessels in Philippine waters not less than 
30 days during the period from October 17, 1944 to a terminal date to 
be announced. 


Service Flag and Service Lapel Button 

A distinct Merchant Marine service flag and a Merchant Marine service 
lapel button are prescribed for display by members of the immediate 
families of seamen serving in the American Merchant Marine during the 
war period. Seamen’s families are not authorized to fly the Army-Navy 
service flag. 

Merchant seamen and officers are not authorized to wear military war 
zone ribbons unless earned as members of the Armed Forces. The Army 
and Navy may specifically award certain honors to merchant seamen serv¬ 
ing on merchant vessels attached to an Army or Navy unit. 

The Merchant Marine service emblem, the war zone bar, and the com¬ 
bat bar are not licensed for sale. They are issued only by the Seamen’s 
Service Awards Committee upon voluntary application by seamen furnish¬ 
ing information of eligibility for such awards. 

In addition to these official Government awards, some of the maritime 
unions and shipping companies have created special awards for their 
members. 

For further information: Write to Seamen’s Service Awards Commit¬ 
tee, War Shipping Administration, Washington 25, D. C. 


27 


Q. CAN A SEAMAN ON FURLOUGH OBTAIN GASOLINE, FOOD 
RATION, AND SHOE STAMPS? 

Seamen may obtain furlough gasoline by applying at the local office of 
the Office of Price Administration or, upon good cause, may have an 
agent act for him. 

Each application must be accompanied by one or more of the applicant’s 
certificates of discharge (U. S. Coast Guard or Department of Commerce 
Form 718—A revised) or records of entry in Continuous Discharge Book 
(U. S. Coast Guard or Department of Commerce Form 718—E). These 
are needed to show the applicant’s periods of sea duty and date of discharge. 
No documents marked “Duplicate” may be used for these purposes. If a 
basic ration card has been issued for the vehicle for which the special ration 
is sought, the application must be accompanied by the mileage rationing 
record. 

The schedule provides that 3 gallons shall be allowed for 5 weeks’ 
service. The amount of gasoline increases with the length of service up 
to a total of 30 gallons which is issued for 49 or more weeks of service. 

No periods of service carrying a discharge date before January 12, 1945, 
will be recognized. 

It must be remembered that the'allotments of furlough gasoline are not 
bonuses and the applicant must demonstrate to the Ration Board a 
legitimate reason for applying for the gasoline. 

A port representative of Recruitment and Manning Organization will 
either obtain for you or direct you to the agency which will supply you 
with shoe and food-ration stamps. 

Q. DO MERCHANT SEAMEN WEAR UNIFORMS? 

Most merchant seamen serving in the unlicensed capacities aboard 
ships do not wear uniforms either aboard ship or ashore. Dungarees and 
work shirts are usually worn aboard ship and civilian clothes on shore. 

However, graduates of the apprentice seamen’s schools may, if they wish, 
wear the Maritime Service uniform furnished at the training school, which 
they keep after graduation. Some steamship companies require men serv¬ 
ing on their vessels to wear, when on duty, a particular company uniform 
which the companies usually supply. 

Licensed Merchant Marine officers who are serving as such, upon receiv¬ 
ing appointments in the Maritime Service, are furnished with and are 
entitled to wear the Maritime Service uniform and insignia. 

Q. WHAT KIND OF CLOTHING WILL I NEED FOR A VOYAGE TO 
THE SOUTH PACIFIC? 

Since security information prevents the disclosure of voyages to combat 
zones, seamen are not apt to know the destination of the ship. Also, desti¬ 
nations of vessels are subject to change even after the voyage has begun. 


28 


Seamen should be prepared with the minimum amount of clothing needed 
for both summer and winter weather. All American flag vessels carry 
“slop chests” or a store of clothing and other personal items which seamen 
may purchase at prices similar to those found ashore. 

Q. WHAT RELATIONSHIP DO THE MERCHANT SEAMEN HAVE 
WITH THE NAVY GUN CREW? 

The Navy gun crew has been placed aboard merchant vessels to handle 
the ship’s guns in case of attack. Their duties are solely of a military 
nature. 

The Navy gun crew bunks in quarters of its own and usually has its 
own mess. It is needless to say that the Navy gun crews treat merchant 
seamen with courtesy and respect and naturally expect the same kind of 
treatment in return. 

Q. WHAT SECURITY MEASURES SHOULD BE OBSERVED BY 
ALL SEAMEN? 

Our enemies want to know when your ship sails, when she docks, where 
she’s been, where she’s going, what she carries, how she’s armed, where 
our troops are fighting. So don’t talk about ship movements when ashore. 
Don’t write home about details of your voyage. 

Don’t put this information in diaries. Don’t smuggle letters. Men re- 
Vealing this information aid the enemy, sink our ships, destroy our cargoes, 
endanger the lives of our seamen and our troops. 

Q. WHAT TYPE OF DISCIPLINE IS MAINTAINED ON MER¬ 
CHANT SHIPS? 

The maintenance of rigid discipline aboard merchant vessels is abso¬ 
lutely necessary for the safety of the ship, its cargo, and all hands aboard. 
Once an order is given it must be carried out. 

The average cargo ship, in addition to the Navy gun crew, carries a 
complement of 44 men, among whom there are no replacements. If one 
man aboard fails to carry out orders, the rest of the crew must assume 
the burden of his work. 

For infractions of discipline, seamen are subject to loggings or deduc¬ 
tions from their pay, which are entered on the ship’s log book. The mas¬ 
ter has final authority and if any man doubts the wisdom of the order, he 
should hold his “beef” until the vessel returns to port. 

The Merchant Marine Inspection Service of the Coast Guard issues sea¬ 
men’s papers, and the Coast Guard Merchant Marine Hearing Unit is 
vested with the authority to revoke or suspend such papers when a Mer¬ 
chant Marine officer or seaman is found guilty of misconduct or is proven 
to be incompetent to perform the duties he is required to perform under 
his license or certificate. 


29 


Coast Guard examining officers board all American flag vessels enter¬ 
ing every large American and many foreign ports. Persons accused of 
misconduct or incompetency are required to appear before a Coast Guard 
hearing officer, who determines from the evidence placed before him 
whether or not the papers of the person charged should be suspended or 
revoked. Persons charged have the right to counsel and the right to 
present witnesses at the hearing in defense of the action against their 
papers. 

An intelligent seaman joining a ship for the first time as a member 
cf the crew soon senses that next in importance to the “know how” of the 
work is—discipline. 

Discipline on a ship implies subjection to a control exerted by the master 
and officers for the good of the whole, and adherence to laws, rules, and 
regulations intended for the orderly coordination of effort. 

Q. WHAT DOES THE UNITED SEAMEN’S SERVICE DO FOR 
MERCHANT SEAMEN? 

The United Seamen’s Service, or the “USS” as it is commonly known, 
has been especially created to provide the many services for merchant sea¬ 
men that the USO and the Red Cross provide for men in the armed 
services. 

The United Seamen’s Service has been made possible through the support 
and cooperation of the War Shipping Administration, the steamship opera¬ 
tors, the various maritime unions, the shipbuilders and the general public. 

There are four main types of activities provided by the United Seamen’s 
Service, namely: residential, recreational, personal services, and medical 
attention. 

The United Seamen’s Service provides residential clubs both in this 
country and in the principal ports of the world. A small charge is made 
for sleeping accommodations, and meals are available at cost at many of 
the clubs. 

The residential clubs also provide recreational services exclusively for 
seamen at no charge. These services include dances, games, entertain¬ 
ment, library facilities, and reading rooms. 

The Personal Service Division of the USS deals with matters such as 
small loans for board and lodging, assists in communicating with friends 
and relatives, and gives advice on a wide variety of problems. 

Q. WHAT MEDICAL HEALTH FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR 
MERCHANT SEAMEN? 

Merchant seamen are entitled to free medical care at marine hospitals 
operated by the United States Public Health Service within 90 days of 
signing off ship’s articles. The Public Health Service was established in 
1789 as the Marine Hospital Service. Its original function was confined 


30 



to providing medical care for seamen, but since that time its responsibilities 
have been largely increased. 

Arrangements have been made abroad for free treatment of merchant 
seamen in American Army and Navy hospitals. 

The War Shipping Administration and the United Seamen’s Service 
maintain rest centers in or near the chief ports of the United States and 
maintain medical admitting offices in connection with these centers. A 
seaman can go to these offices with his health problems. There is no 
charge for advice or for admittance to the rest centers. 

The rest centers are provided for convalescent seamen who have been 
discharged from marine hospitals and for seamen who need to regain 
their health which may have been impaired by long and arduous voyages 
through war zones. 

Q. ARE SEAMEN REQUIRED TO TAKE HEALTH EXAMINATIONS? 

Yes. On January 11, 1944, the War Shipping Administration estab¬ 
lished a procedure for medical examinations required for all licensed and 
unlicensed seamen employed on American, Honduran, and Panamanian 
flag vessels operated under the supervision of the War Shipping Admin¬ 
istration. Before signing on articles, seamen employed on such vessels 
must produce a medical clearance at the Shipping Commissioner’s office. 
The main purpose of these medical examinations is to protect the health 
of merchant seamen and to prevent the spreading of communicable 
diseases aboard ship. Seamen will be examined free of charge by the 
War Shipping Administration with the exception that those seamen em¬ 
ployed by steamship operators having their own medical departments and 
their own medical examinations will continue to be examined by the 
medical departments of such operators. 

Q. WHAT ABOUT LIBRARY FACILITIES ABOARD SHIP? 

The American Merchant Marine Library Association has collected a 
wide assortment of books which are provided free of charge to every 
vessel for the ship’s library. The association has published “The Seaman’s 
Handbook for Shore Leave,” which contains much useful information. 

If there are~ any particular books you are interested in, contact the 
American Merchant Marine Library Association, 45 Broadway, New 
York 6, N. Y. 

Q. WHAT ABOUT MAIL SERVICE FOR MERCHANT SEAMEN? 

The War Shipping Administration, in conjunction with the Post Office 
Department and the War and Navy Deparments, has established a mail 
service for members of crews on American flag and American-controlled 
vessels. This service is for ordinary first-class mail to and from merchant 
seamen in foreign ports, and such other ordinary mail as can be handled. 


31 


depending upon conditions. This service does not provide for registered, 
insured, or c. o. d. mail of any class. For the purpose of dispatching mail, 
correspondents should address their letters to the seamen, naming the 
vessel, and sending the letter in care of the Postmaster, New Orleans, New 
York, or San Francisco, depending upon the coast from which the seaman 
shipped out. The seamen may also send mail back to the United States 
from foreign ports through the Army and Navy post offices. Under this 
mail facility, much correspondence will travel by air from port to port 
where possible. However, the “free mail” privileges accorded to members 
of the armed forces are not at present available to the men serving in the 
Merchant Marine. 

Advise your correspondents in the country prior to your departure from 
a continental United States port to assure that mail addressed to you 
should be in accordance with the following form: 


Mrs. T. Smith 
1022 Marble St. 

New York, N. Y. 

John T. Smith 

S/S President Jackson 

c/o Postmaster 

Name of Steamship line. New York, N. Y. 


All mail is subject to censorship and such security regulations as may be 
prescribed by the Allied Control having jurisdiction over the vessel. 

Q. WHAT OPPORTUNITIES WILL THERE BE IN THE MERCHANT 
MARINE FOR POSTWAR EMPLOYMENT? 

The United States has become the greatest seapower in the world, 
both from a naval and Merchant Marine standpoint. The War Shipping 
Administration and the United States Maritime Commission are strongly 
urging that this position be maintained. If expectations are fulfilled, men 
now in the Merchant Marine will have enviable opportunities awaiting 
them, postwar. 

Vice Admiral Emory S. Land (U. S. N. Ret.) Chairman of U. S. 
Maritime Commission and War Shipping Administrator, feels that all 
ships of the American flag fleet will be fully utilized for the next several 
years, even after the war is ended. Expanded foreign trade, the relief 
and rehabilitation needs of many countries, and the return of troops and 
material of war will necessitate the full use of all merchant ships for some¬ 
time to come. 


32 



RECRUITMENT AND MANNING ORGANIZATION 


Baltimore, Md. — Recruitment and Manning Organization, 106 Chamber 
of Commerce Building, Water and Commerce Streets, Baltimore, Md. 
Phone: Whitehall 3-8000. 

Boston, Mass. —Recruitment and Manning Organization, 408 Atlantic 
Avenue, Rooms 303-306, Boston 10, Mass. Phone: Liberty 9320 and 
9321. 

Charleston, S C.—Recruitment and Manning Organization, Room 706, 
Peoples Office Building, Broad Street, Charleston, S. C. Phone: 
Charleston 3-4846. 

Chicago, III.—Recruitment and Manning Organization, American Fore 
Building, 844 Rush Street, Chicago 11, Ill. Phone: Delaware 5527. 

Cleveland, Ohio.— Recruitment and Manning Organization, 106 Federal 
Building, Cleveland 14, Ohio. Phone: Main 2435. 

Detroit, Mich. —Recruitment and Manning Organization, Customhouse, 
100 Larned Street, Detroit 26, Mich. Phone: Cadillac 4321. 

Galveston, Tex.— Recruitment and Manning Organization, 316 Cotton 
Exchange Building, Galveston, Tex. Phone 2-8614. 

Houston, Tex. —Recruitment and Manning Organization, Rooms 213- 
215 Cotton Exchange Building, Houston 2, Texas. Phone: Charter 
46041-2. 

Jacksonville, Fla.— Recruitment and Manning Organization, 305 Hilde- 
brandt Building, Adams and Julia Streets, Jacksonville, Fla. Phone: 
5-3084. 

Miami, Fla. —Recruitment and Manning Organization, 1209 Postal Build¬ 
ing, Miami 32, Florida. Phone: 9-3469. 

Mobile, Ala. —Recruitment and Manning Organization, 305 Wilson 
Building, Mobile 10, Alabama. Phone: 2-1859 and 2-1850. 

New Orleans, La.— Recruitment and Manning Organization, Interstate 
Building, 600 Canal Street, New Orleans 16, La. Phone: Canal 4531 
and 4532. 

New York, N. Y.—Recruitment and Manning Organization, 37 Broad¬ 
way, New York 6, N. Y. Phone: Whitehall 3-8000. 

Norfolk, Va. —Recruitment and Manning Organization, 127-29 Bank 
Street, Norfolk 10, Va. Phone: 48386, 48387, and 48388. 

Philadelphia, Pa. —Recruitment and Manning Organization, 16 Chest¬ 
nut Street, Philadelphia 6, Pa. Phone: Walnut 3800. 

Port Arthur, Tex. —Recruitment and Manning Organization, 207 Blue- 
stein Building, Port Arthur, Tex. Phone 2-3411. 

Portland, Maine. —Recruitment and Manning Organization, Room 14, 
Chapman Building, 477 Congress Street, Portland, Maine. Phone: 
Portland 3-8232. 


33 


Portland, Oreg. —Recruitment and Manning Organization, Lewis Build¬ 
ing, 329 South West Oak Street, Portland 4, Oreg. Phone: Broadway 
1229. 

San Francisco, Calif. —Recruitment and Manning Organization, 65 
Sutter Street, San Francisco 4, Calif. Phone: Garfield 3715; night: 
3529 or 3533. 

Savannah, Ga. —Recruitment and Manning Organization, 420 Realty 
Building, Savannah, Ga. Phone: 3-9691 and 3-9692. 

Seattle, Wash. —Recruitment and Manning Organization, 910 Second 
Avenue, Seattle 4, Wash. Phone: Main 6101. 

Tampa, Fla. —Recruitment and Manning Organization, 113 North Frank¬ 
lin Street, Tampa 2, Fla. Phone: Tampa 2565. 

Wilmington, Calif. —Recruitment and Manning Organization, 613 
North Avalon Boulevard, Wilmington, Calif. Phone: Wilmington 0551 
and 0532. 

U. S. MARITIME SERVICE ENROLLING OFFICES 

Atlanta. —Regional Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 244 Peach¬ 
tree Arcade, 2 Peachtree Street, Atlanta 3, Ga. Phone: Walnut 9249. 

Baltimore. —Regional Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 209 East 
Fayette Street, Baltimore 2, Md. Phone: Plaza 8295 and 6656. 

Birmingham. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 1215 Empire 
Building, First Avenue and 20th Street, Birmington 3, Ala. Phone: 
Birmingham 4—0275. 

Boston. —Regional Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, Room 101, 
177 Milk Street, Boston 9, Mass. Phone: Liberty 7414 and 7415. 

Buffalo. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 322 Walbridge Build¬ 
ing, 43 Court Street, Buffalo 2, N. Y. Phone: Madison 4443. 

Charleston. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 17 Broad Street, 
Charleston 3, S. C. Phone: Charleston 3-2207. 

Chicago. —Regional Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, Room 515, 
844 North Rush Street, Chicago 11, Ill. Phone: Delaware 3740. 

Cincinnati. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, First Floor, Faller 
Building, Eighth and Walnut Streets, Cincinnati 2, Ohio. Phone: 
Cherry 5820 extension 488. 

Cleveland. —Regional Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, Room 
404, Rogers Building, 1720 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland 15, Ohio. Phone: 
Main 5886. 

Dallas. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 1901 Bryan Street, 
Dallas 1, Tex. Phone: Central 5219. 

Denver.— Regional Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 1501 Chey¬ 
enne Place, Denever 2, Colo. Phone: Keystone 4151 extension 749. 


34 


Detroit. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, Room 111, Federal 
Building, Lafayette and Shelby Streets, Detroit 26, Mich. Phone: 
Cherry 9330. 

Houston. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, Room 831, First 
National Bank Building, Houston 2, Tex. Phone: Charter 4—2571 and 
4-2572. 

Jacksonville. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 415 Federal 
Building, 311 West Monroe Street, Jacksonville, Fla. Phone: Jackson¬ 
ville 5-4844 extension 69. 

Kansas City. —Regional Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, Room 
2201—A, Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City 6, Mo. Phone: Victor 
8230. 

Los Angeles. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 514 West Sixth 
Street, Los Angeles 14, Calif. Phone: Vandike 6811 and Mutual 8735. 

Miami.— Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 1307 Postal Building, 
Miami, Fla. Phone: Miami 9-1227. 

Milwaukee. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, Room 208, 312 
East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee 2, Wis. Phone: Marquette 4809. 

Minneapolis. —Regional Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, Room 
110, U. S. Courthouse, 303 Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis 1, Minn. 
Phone: Atlantic 2848. 

Mobile. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 64 St. Francis Street, 
Mobile 11, Ala. Phone: Mobile 2-6041. 

Newark. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, Room B-85, Post 
Office Building, Federal Square, Newark 2, N. J. Phone: Mitchell 
2-2020 extension 113. 

New Haven. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 1044 Chapel 
Street, New Haven 10, Conn. Phone: New Haven 5—1661. 

New Orleans. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 726 Common 
Street, New Orleans 12, La. Phone: Magnolia 4207 and Raymond 
. 7485. 

New York. —Regional Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, Room 
101, 4»5 Broadway, New York 6, N. Y.; officers, Room 300, 39 Broad¬ 
way. Phone: Whitehall 3—8000. 

Norfolk. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 119 Tazewell Street, 
Norfolk 10, Va. Phone: Norfolk 5-3439. 

Philadelphia. —Regional Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, Land 
Title Building, Room 535, 100 South Broad Street, Philadelphia 10, Pa. 
Phone: Rittenhouse 1194. 

Pittsburgh. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, Room 201, Free¬ 
hold Building, 309 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh 22, Pa. Phone: Grant 
0880. 

Port Arthur. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 208 Bluestein 
Building, Port Arthur, Tex. Phone: Port Arthur 5932. 


35 


Portland, Me. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, Room 17, 
U. S. Customshouse, 312 Fore Street, Portland 3, Maine. Phone: 
Portland 2—0342. 

Portland, Ore. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, Room 202, 
Pioneer Post Office Building, 520 Southwest Morrison Street, Port¬ 
land 4, Oreg. Phone: Atwater 3012. 

Salt Lake City. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 433 Utah 
Oil Building, 10 West Third Street South, Salt Lake City, Utah. 

- Phone: Salt Lake 5—1683. 

San Francisco. —Regional Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 1000 
Geary Street, San Francisco 9, Calif. Phone: Ordway 6010 and 6111. 

Seattle. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 808 Second Avenue, 
Seattle 4, Wash. Phone: Main 3919 and Seneca 2738. 

St. Louis. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 312 Old Customs¬ 
house, Ninth and Olive Streets NW., St. Louis 1, Mo. Phone: Central 
8290. 

Tampa. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, Room 17, Knight and 
Wall Building, 113 East Lafayette Street, Tampa 2, Fla. Phone: 
Tampa 4532. 

Washington. —Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 1311 H Street 
NW., Washington 5, D. C. Phone: Executive 3340 extensions 535 and 
1046. 

Wilmington.— Enrolling Office, U. S. Maritime Service, 326 Avalon 
Boulevard, Wilmington, Calif. Phone: Wilmington 4305. 

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD MERCHANT MARINE 

INSPECTION OFFICES 


City and State Address 

Albany, N. Y_ 313 Federal Building. 

Baltimore, Md_ 209 Chamber of Commerce Building. 

Boston, Mass_40 Broad Street. 

Buffalo, N. Y_ 440 Federal Building. 

Charleston, S. C_ 31 Customhouse. 

Chicago, Ill__811 Customhouse. 

Cincinnati, Ohio_ 731 New Post Office Building. 

Cleveland, Ohio_ 400 Federal Building. 

Detroit, Mich_ 430 Federal Building. 

Duluth, Minn_ 311 Federal Building. 

Galveston, Tex_ 207 Federal Building. 

Grand Haven, Mich_Federal Building. 

Houston, Tex_ 7300 Wingate Street. 

Jacksonville, Fla_Federal Building. 

Memphis, Tenn_ 332 Customhouse. 

Miami, Fla_ 803 News Tower Building. 


36 


















City and State Address 

Milwaukee, Wis- 533 Federal Building. 

Mobile, Ala- Customhouse. 

Nashville, Tenn_ 1021 Stahlman Building. 

New Haven, Conn_ 308 Federal Building. 

New London, Conn_Post Office Building. 

New Orleans, La_ 313 Customhouse. 

New York, N. Y_42 Broadway, Room 623. 

Norfolk, Va_ 219 Federal Building. 

Oswego, N. Y_Federal Building. 

Philadelphia, Pa_801 Customhouse. 

Port Arthur, Tex_Bluestein Building. 

Portland, Maine_Federal Building. 

Portland, Oreg_ 1005 Failing Building. 

Providence, R. I_310 Post Office Annex. 

San Francisco, Calif_Old Mint Building, Fifth and Mission Streets. 

San Pedro, Calif_Post Office and Customs Building. 

Savannah, Ga_Customhouse. 

Seattle, Wash_Alaska Building, Second and Cherry Streets. 

St. Ignace, Mich_ Municipal Building. 

Tampa, Fla_ 406 Federal Building. 

Toledo, Ohio_U. S. Courthouse and Customs Building. 




37 
























U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE:!543 





















































